Final answer:
In 1849, Edgar Allan Poe suffered from a nervous affliction and was treated by a procedure called bloodletting, which involved cutting a vein and letting the blood flow into a bowl. Calomel, a form of mercury, was commonly used as a medication during that time. The exact cause of Poe's death is uncertain, but it is possible that mercury poisoning played a role.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1849, Edgar Allan Poe wrote in his letters that he had been suffering from a constitutional and family evil, which he believed to be a nervous affection. This affliction caused him to experience a host of unnatural sensations, such as a morbid acuteness of the senses and intolerance to certain foods, textiles, and odors. To treat this condition, a procedure called bloodletting or venesection was commonly employed. During this process, a vein would be cut and the blood would flow into a bowl. A substance called calomel, which is a form of mercury, was often used as a medication. However, the medical practices during Poe's time were not exact, and he may have been exposed to high levels of mercury without his knowledge, as calomel is highly poisonous. Although the exact cause of Poe's death is unknown, it is speculated that mercury poisoning could have been a contributing factor. Since Poe's body was never examined, it cannot be confirmed that he died from mercury poisoning.